Chapter 61:


    ? ? ? ? ?Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.


    The water enveloped Alicia like a tender embrace, its warmth so luxurious she almost wondered if she was dreaming. Drowsiness took over, making it impossible to keep her eyes open. She managed to catch a glimpse of Caden through the mist, his voice barely above a whisper as he asked, “Are you done showering?”


    Her senses were still dulled, and she wasn''t fully aware of the situation, her guardpletely down. The softness of his tone, the delicate vulnerability of his gaze… she was like a petal drifting in a calm breeze. Caden''s lips curved into a subtle, barely perceptible smile as he gently pressed his fingers against her skin.


    “Are you still awake?” she whispered.


    Alice flinched at the gentle pressure, her foot jerking reflexively and sending a small ssh through the water. The sudden jolt cleared the fog from her mind. Realizing where she was, she instinctively wrapped her arms around herself, her pulse quickening. “What''s going on? Why am I here?”


    Hadn''t she been waiting outside for him to finish?


    “You fell asleep,” Caden replied, his tone casual, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “So I carried you in my arms.”


    Alice blinked in surprise. Had she fallen into such a deep sleep that she hadn''t felt anything? Her gaze shifted to his naked body under the water and her cheeks flushed with sudden heat. “You… took my clothes off?!”


    Caden''s eyes briefly strayed to the soaked dress strewn across the floor. Earlier, when he''d stepped out of the shower, he''d found her curled up, shivering in the cold, her lips stained blue. He didn''t think twice; he scooped her up into his arms, knowing she''d catch a bad cold if he hadn''t gotten her into hot water.


    “Yes,” he admitted without hesitation.


    Alice''s face turned to deeper red. "Why didn''t you just wake me up?" she asked, her voice raised with embarrassment.


    “I couldn''t,” Caden said, his tone still unruffled. “Why else would I wake you up like that?”


    “How so?” His brow furrowed in confusion.


    Instead of immediately responding, Caden''s fingers brushed her knee again, the touch sending an unexpected jolt through her.


    “Hey!” Alice gasped, the sudden pain starting her and she kicked her legs underwater. The movement caused ripples on the surface, briefly revealing glimpses of her soft skin.


    Caden didn''t even intend to look away. Noticing his daring gaze, heat rose to Alicia''s cheeks. She quickly sank deeper into the water, her arms instinctively wrapping around her chest in a weak attempt to protect herself.


    Caden stared at her, his eyes dark and unapologetic. His voice was low, almost mocking, when he said, “Why bother covering up? “I’ve seen it all.” Those words left her silent.


    Even with the subtle tension cracking between them, she knew he wouldn''t dare do anything, at least not here.


    As he stood up, his imposing figure cast a shadow over her. With azy smile, he said, “Go wash up.”


    Alicia rushed to the bathroom. Less than twenty minutester, she cleaned out, her skin flushed and damp. Caden was waiting for her, leaning back in a chair, dressed only in a dark robe. He held a small bottle of ointment in his hand.


    He had taken a moment to examine her injured knee earlier. Fortunately, the noise was not serious. The ointment would be enough to soothe it.


    Without hesitation, Alice epted the bottle. She poured some of the cold liquid into the palm of her hand before gently rubbing the sore area.


    Outside, the weather had taken a turn for the worse, and rain pelted the windows. Inside, however, the room glowed with soft amber light from themps. Despite the mncholic atmosphere, the warmth of Caden''s presence made her feel unexpectedly safe, as if he could keep the darkness at bay.


    He didn''t speak, his attention fixed on the gathering storm outside. His expression was distant, unreadable. The minutes passed and the silence between them grew heavier.


    Suddenly, a sh of lightning shed across the sky, followed by a deafening p of thunder. Startled, Alice''s gaze flew to Caden.


    It was then that he noticed the slight trembling of his tightly clenched fists. His breath caught.


    Despite her usualposure and arrogance, Alicia would never have imagined that the domineering Caden could be upset by something as ordinary as a storm. Normally, she would have mocked him for it, but tonight, with the storm raging around them, she bit back her words.


    Because she was also afraid of thunder.


    It was a fear she had carried with her since the night her parents died. Every sh of lightning and gust of wind seemed to mock her, taunting her loneliness. Wrapped in nkets, she had spent countless nights staring into the darkness, waiting forfort that never came. No one had been there to whisper, “Don''t be afraid.” So she closed her eyes, willing herself to hold out until the light of dawn.


    As another bolt of lightning shed across the dark sky, Alice cried out, "Caden."


    He slowly turned his head towards her. His eyes held a deep, chilling coldness, almost imprable. But in the blink of an eye, that icy exterior softened, settling into a calm, collected demeanor. “What''s wrong?” he asked, his voice deep and maic.


    She watched as his hands slowly rxed and his fists unclenched.


    “You were doing so well abroad,” she began, feeling her curiosity piqued. “Why did youe back?”


    Caden''s response was indifferent, almost disdainful. "Because of the inheritance."


    Alicia raised an eyebrow slightly. “But you don''t seem to be fighting for her.” Something so obvious hadn''t gone unnoticed.


    The dark gleam in Caden''s eyes faded, reced by ascivious smile.


    “Why the sudden interest?” he asked, his toneced with yful suspicion. “Are you gathering information for Joshua, or are you nning to team up with me against him?”


    Alice smiled amusedly. “I was just asking,” she replied nonchntly, but her real motivey beneath the surface. She just wanted to divert his attention, keep him busy, and protect him from the storm raging outside.


    "I could ask you the same question."


    Not one to let things go easily, Caden persisted, “What are you doing here with the Yates family?”


    She dismissed his question with a shrug. “I don''t want to fight anymore. “I’m here to enjoy life under Joshua’s protection.”


    Caden''s grin widened, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “What if I beat him? The Yates family will be mine… and you too?”


    Alice''s mouth twitched.


    He was being mischievous again, and for a moment Alice allowed herself to forget the frightened child she had seen in him moments before. She quickly put aside the fleeting sympathy and capped the bottle of ointment in her hands, setting it aside with a soft thud.


    "I''m leaving," he announced, his voice firm.


    He headed for the door, stopping briefly to check the hallway. When no one was around, he limped out, leaning against the wall.


    But as she turned the corner, her heart jumped into her throat.


    Right in her path was Shelia, with an insincere smile as sharp as the daggers her eyes were shooting at Alicia. It was clear that Shelia had been waiting there for some time.


    “Alicia,” she purred, her voice mock-concerned. “What were you doing alone in a room with Caden for so long?”


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